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ENPH vs FSLR vs SEDG vs CSIQ
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
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ENPH vs FSLR vs SEDG vs CSIQ — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Industry | Solar | Solar | Solar | Solar |
| Market Cap | $4.67B | $23.06B | $2.35B | $1.18B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $1.40B | $5.42B | $1.28B | $5.60B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $135M | $1.67B | $-364M | $-104M |
| Gross Margin | 44.2% | 41.7% | 18.2% | 18.3% |
| Operating Margin | 6.8% | 33.0% | -18.6% | 0.1% |
| Forward P/E | 17.6x | 12.0x | 610.9x | — |
| Total Debt | $1.24B | $499M | $423M | $7.68B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $474M | $2.80B | $540M | $1.91B |
ENPH vs FSLR vs SEDG vs CSIQ — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enphase Energy, Inc. (ENPH) | 100 | 61.0 | -39.0% |
| First Solar, Inc. (FSLR) | 100 | 460.3 | +360.3% |
| SolarEdge Technolog… (SEDG) | 100 | 27.2 | -72.8% |
| Canadian Solar Inc. (CSIQ) | 100 | 94.0 | -6.0% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: ENPH vs FSLR vs SEDG vs CSIQ
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
ENPH plays a supporting role in this comparison — it may shine differently against other peers.
FSLR carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and long-term compounding.
- beta 1.39
- 324.1% 10Y total return vs ENPH's 17.4%
- Lower volatility, beta 1.39, Low D/E 5.2%, current ratio 2.67x
- PEG 0.39 vs ENPH's 2.79
SEDG is the #2 pick in this set and the best alternative if growth exposure is your priority.
- Rev growth 31.4%, EPS growth 78.2%, 3Y rev CAGR -27.5%
- 31.4% revenue growth vs CSIQ's -6.6%
- +161.4% vs ENPH's -18.9%
CSIQ lags the leaders in this set but could rank higher in a more targeted comparison.
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 31.4% revenue growth vs CSIQ's -6.6% | |
| Value | Better valuation composite | |
| Quality / Margins | 30.7% margin vs SEDG's -28.6% | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 1.39 vs CSIQ's 2.23, lower leverage | |
| Dividends | Tie | None of these 4 stocks pay a meaningful dividend |
| Momentum (1Y) | +161.4% vs ENPH's -18.9% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | 12.6% ROA vs SEDG's -15.9%, ROIC 17.6% vs -29.5% |
ENPH vs FSLR vs SEDG vs CSIQ — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
ENPH vs FSLR vs SEDG vs CSIQ — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 4 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Who Leads Where
FSLR leads in 5 of 6 categories
ENPH leads 0 • SEDG leads 0 • CSIQ leads 0
Explore the data ↓Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
FSLR leads this category, winning 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
CSIQ is the larger business by revenue, generating $5.6B annually — 4.4x SEDG's $1.3B. FSLR is the more profitable business, keeping 30.7% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to SEDG's -28.6%. On growth, SEDG holds the edge at +41.5% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $1.4B | $5.4B | $1.3B | $5.6B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $171M | $2.2B | -$225M | $284M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $135M | $1.7B | -$364M | -$104M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $145M | $1.7B | $78M | -$1.7B |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +44.2% | +41.7% | +18.2% | +18.3% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +6.8% | +33.0% | -18.6% | +0.1% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +9.6% | +30.7% | -28.6% | -1.9% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +10.4% | +30.8% | +6.1% | -29.6% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -20.6% | +23.6% | +41.5% | -20.0% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -127.3% | +65.1% | +100.0% | -3.7% |
Valuation Metrics
FSLR leads this category, winning 4 of 7 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 15.1x trailing earnings, FSLR trades at a 45% valuation discount to ENPH's 27.5x P/E. Adjusting for growth (PEG ratio), FSLR offers better value at 0.49x vs ENPH's 4.36x — a lower PEG means you pay less per unit of expected earnings growth.
| Metric | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $4.7B | $23.1B | $2.3B | $1.2B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $5.4B | $20.8B | $2.2B | $7.0B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 27.50x | 15.10x | -5.60x | -11.41x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 17.61x | 12.04x | 610.92x | — |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | 4.36x | 0.49x | — | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 22.19x | 9.38x | — | — |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 3.17x | 4.42x | 1.98x | 0.21x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 4.40x | 2.42x | 5.40x | 0.28x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 48.75x | 19.42x | 29.06x | — |
Profitability & Efficiency
FSLR leads this category, winning 8 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
FSLR delivers a 18.0% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $18 in annual profit, vs $-80 for SEDG. FSLR carries lower financial leverage with a 0.05x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to CSIQ's 1.80x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), FSLR scores 7/9 vs CSIQ's 1/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +13.3% | +18.0% | -79.6% | -2.5% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +4.2% | +12.6% | -15.9% | -0.7% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +6.8% | +17.6% | -29.5% | -0.2% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +6.8% | +15.9% | -19.2% | -0.3% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 1 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 1.14x | 0.05x | 0.99x | 1.80x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $769M | -$2.3B | -$116M | $5.8B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $474M | $2.8B | $540M | $1.9B |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $1.2B | $499M | $423M | $7.7B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 47.60x | 53.51x | -2.80x | 0.02x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
FSLR leads this category, winning 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in FSLR five years ago would be worth $28,755 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $1,752 for SEDG. Over the past 12 months, SEDG leads with a +161.4% total return vs ENPH's -18.9%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors FSLR at 6.5% vs SEDG's -49.0% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +5.1% | -21.8% | +23.1% | -30.4% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | -18.9% | +65.3% | +161.4% | +97.1% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -78.3% | +20.9% | -86.8% | -52.3% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -71.2% | +187.6% | -82.5% | -55.4% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +1737.8% | +324.1% | +70.9% | +14.4% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | -39.9% | +6.5% | -49.0% | -21.9% |
Risk & Volatility
FSLR leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
FSLR is the less volatile stock with a 1.39 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than CSIQ's 2.23 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. FSLR currently trades 75.0% from its 52-week high vs CSIQ's 51.1% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 1.70x | 1.39x | 2.03x | 2.23x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $54.43 | $285.99 | $53.75 | $34.59 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $25.78 | $125.80 | $13.73 | $8.84 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +65.2% | +75.0% | +71.8% | +51.1% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 52.1 | 64.3 | 45.7 | 62.4 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 5.9M | 2.1M | 3.6M | 2.5M |
Analyst Outlook
Insufficient data to determine a leader in this category.
Analyst Outlook
Analyst consensus: ENPH as "Hold", FSLR as "Buy", SEDG as "Hold", CSIQ as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 63.3% upside for CSIQ (target: $29) vs -9.1% for SEDG (target: $35).
| Metric | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Hold | Buy | Hold | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $43.48 | $264.13 | $35.09 | $28.88 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 55 | 73 | 48 | 33 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | — | — | — | — |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | — | — | — | 0 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | — | — | — | — |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +2.8% | +0.1% | 0.0% | +5.9% |
FSLR leads in 5 of 6 categories — strongest in Income & Cash Flow and Valuation Metrics.
ENPH vs FSLR vs SEDG vs CSIQ: Key Questions Answered
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is ENPH or FSLR or SEDG or CSIQ a better buy right now?
For growth investors, SolarEdge Technologies, Inc.
(SEDG) is the stronger pick with 31. 4% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -6. 6% for Canadian Solar Inc. (CSIQ). First Solar, Inc. (FSLR) offers the better valuation at 15. 1x trailing P/E (12. 0x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate First Solar, Inc. (FSLR) a "Buy" — based on 73 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.
02Which has the better valuation — ENPH or FSLR or SEDG or CSIQ?
On trailing P/E, First Solar, Inc.
(FSLR) is the cheapest at 15. 1x versus Enphase Energy, Inc. at 27. 5x. On forward P/E, First Solar, Inc. is actually cheaper at 12. 0x. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: First Solar, Inc. wins at 0. 39x versus Enphase Energy, Inc. 's 2. 79x — a PEG below 1. 0 traditionally signals the market is underpricing earnings growth.
03Which is the better long-term investment — ENPH or FSLR or SEDG or CSIQ?
Over the past 5 years, First Solar, Inc.
(FSLR) delivered a total return of +187. 6%, compared to -82. 5% for SolarEdge Technologies, Inc. (SEDG). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: ENPH returned +1738% versus CSIQ's +14. 4%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
04Which is safer — ENPH or FSLR or SEDG or CSIQ?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), First Solar, Inc.
(FSLR) is the lower-risk stock at 1. 39β versus Canadian Solar Inc. 's 2. 23β — meaning CSIQ is approximately 60% more volatile than FSLR relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, First Solar, Inc. (FSLR) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 5% versus 180% for Canadian Solar Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — ENPH or FSLR or SEDG or CSIQ?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), SolarEdge Technologies, Inc.
(SEDG) is pulling ahead at 31. 4% versus -6. 6% for Canadian Solar Inc. (CSIQ). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: SolarEdge Technologies, Inc. grew EPS 78. 2% year-over-year, compared to -387. 0% for Canadian Solar Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, FSLR leads at 25. 8% annualised revenue growth. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.
06Which has better profit margins — ENPH or FSLR or SEDG or CSIQ?
First Solar, Inc.
(FSLR) is the more profitable company, earning 29. 3% net margin versus -34. 2% for SolarEdge Technologies, Inc. — meaning it keeps 29. 3% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: FSLR leads at 32. 3% versus -24. 1% for SEDG. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — ENPH leads at 46. 6%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.
07Is ENPH or FSLR or SEDG or CSIQ more undervalued right now?
The PEG ratio (forward P/E divided by expected earnings growth rate) is the most precise measure of undervaluation relative to growth potential.
By this metric, First Solar, Inc. (FSLR) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 0. 39x versus Enphase Energy, Inc. 's 2. 79x. A PEG below 1. 0 is traditionally considered the threshold for growth-adjusted undervaluation. On forward earnings alone, First Solar, Inc. (FSLR) trades at 12. 0x forward P/E versus 610. 9x for SolarEdge Technologies, Inc. — 598. 9x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for CSIQ: 63. 3% to $28. 88.
08Which pays a better dividend — ENPH or FSLR or SEDG or CSIQ?
None of the stocks in this comparison currently pay a material dividend.
All are effectively zero-yield and should be held for capital appreciation rather than income.
09Is ENPH or FSLR or SEDG or CSIQ better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Enphase Energy, Inc.
(ENPH) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (+1738% 10Y return). Canadian Solar Inc. (CSIQ) carries a higher beta of 2. 23 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (ENPH: +1738%, CSIQ: +14. 4%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.
10What are the main differences between ENPH and FSLR and SEDG and CSIQ?
Both stocks operate in the Energy sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.
In terms of investment character: ENPH is a small-cap quality compounder stock; FSLR is a mid-cap high-growth stock; SEDG is a small-cap high-growth stock; CSIQ is a small-cap quality compounder stock. These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.
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